When it comes to the Transfer Portal, Marcus Freeman is no different than just about every other coach in the sport. Notre Dame is bringing in some players that didn't work out elsewhere, and Freeman and his staff are looking to tap into the potential that was never really realized in players like Keon Keeley and Quincy Porter.
Porter, a former 5-star wide receiver with Ohio State, was thought to be one of the best players in the 2025 class. However, once he got to Columbus and started competing with other 5-star athletes, he found it hard to get playing time and put up numbers. He has a grand total of 4 catches for 59 yards in his career.
Likewise, Notre Dame's latest defensive line addition was among the best players in his recruiting class. Still, Keeley has had problems breaking into the starting lineup. In two years with Alabama, he totaled just 191 career snaps. The most snaps he's got in any one game is this past season against Oklahoma, where he logged 35 plays.
Notre Dame is banking on development of Keon Keeley and Quincy Porter over proven production
At least part of the reason both players were in the portal was that they weren't sure they'd get any more playing time in 2026 than they did in 2025. With Notre Dame, both players think they'll see the field more.
Marcus Freeman would like both players to turn into impact players, where they were just afterthoughts at their previous schools. The stakes are higher in South Bend this year.
It doesn't appear the Fighting Irish are going all-in with the Transfer Portal this year. They hauled in four commits on Monday, and there could be one or two more coming, but the portal class for Freeman's crew is going to be comparatively small.
That means Freeman is making a big bet on guys like Keeley and Porter. The other significant portal additions on Monday, DJ McKinney and Jayden Sanders, are smaller gambles. Both defensive backs have numbers in previous seasons they can point to.
The wide receiver and defensive lineman have something to prove. Marcus Freeman has something to prove as well. He has to show he and his Notre Dame staff know how to pinpoint talent that will help them make a run in the College Football Playoff. He won't be able to make that case until this time next year.